Article

Vettel only looking forward

27 February 2013 21:35

Vettel has taken out the past three F1 championships but the German Red Bull driver will not be resting on his laurels as he aims to become the first person to win four consecutive titles since his boyhood idol Michael Schumacher achieved the feat as part of winning five in a row from 2000 to 2004.

"I don't think about it too much, whether I have won one, two or three titles," Vettel said.

"The fact that I did it is very nice, obviously you are proud.

"But the earth is still spinning and you focus on the future, not on the past."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner certainly believes Vettel and the team have a good chance of taking out the driver and manufacturers' titles once again.

"I think after three championship-winning seasons the motivation in the team is as high as it's ever been," Horner said.

"People have got used to winning, they enjoy winning but they don't forget where we've come from.

"There's a real determination within the team to defend and retain both titles this year.

"It gets harder every year. We've done it three years in succession.

"The target is an unheard of target – to do it four times in a row. But with continuity in all areas and motivation being sky-high (it can be done)."

Vettel's campaign starts in Melbourne in early March and the 25-year-old is confident of a good start to the year, despite racing in the new RB9.

"Generally speaking the cars this season aren't very different to the cars of last season," he said.

"So it isn't a completely new, unknown car and from the feeling it is similar to the one of last season.

"I think we used our chance for a new start, especially regarding the engine. The outside design is pretty much the same but underneath the bonnet we are better structured and created some space.

"Regarding the car we have a lot of things on our to-do list that we have to do and want to amend.